News: Spring/Summer 2006

The British Trust for Ornithology has noted early arrivals of finches at garden feeding stations across the country.

The BTO's network of garden bird recorders have witnessed exceptionally early arrivals of siskins (Carduelis spinus), bramblings (Fringilla montifringilla) and other finches this winter. The natural food supplies of many of these species are in very short supply this year after a poor harvest of acorns, beechmast and conifer seeds. This food shortage and the widely predicted possibility of a hard winter means that by providing supplementary food, gardeners could play a vital role in the survival of many birds this winter.

BTO. 2005. Stock up those bird tables now! BTO News Release No. 2005/11/38.